Alexander Livingstone proceeded to Newcastle in 1822 and like many others arriving in these years, after alighting at the wharf at Newcastle probably boarded a ketch or rowing boat to travel up River to select his land.

He received a grant in 1823 of 1075 acres situated near Hinton and adjoining the grant of James McClymont.

He later increased this holding to 2000 acres by purchase. Here he built Bowthorne House.

The Lord Liverpool carried mail, cargo such as wool and coal from Newcastle, and passengers to and from Sydney.

GRANTED ALLOTMENT OF LAND AT NEWCASTLE

His name is on a list of men who were granted allotments in Newcastle

RETIRED TO THE COMFORTS OF SHORE

In 1826 Alexander Livingstone married Mary Dillon who arrived on the Francis in 1823 and was a sister of Robert Coram Dillon. He probably resided in Sydney at this time. The Lord Liverpool was captained by William Powditchin 1830 and Captain Livingstone retired to 'the comforts of shore, with unanimous good wishes of a large circle of friends'.

BOWTHORNE HOUSE

Bowthorne house was built with extensive gardens and vineyards facing the River. The house itself was built of stone and consisted of ten rooms. There were servants quarters, stone dairy, wheat silos, coach house, overseer's house, provisions stores, stables, stock yards and huts.

The estate was auctioned in 14 lots in 1843 after Alexander Livingstone ran into financial difficulties in the drought and depression. [1] Bowthorne House was situated on lot 1 and consisted of about 140 acres.

Alexander Livingstone remained in the area. He donated three allotments of land for a Church at Hinton in 1845, and in 1846 he was involved in Regattas at Hinton and Stockton.

HARBOUR MASTER

He was appointed Harbour Master and Pilot at the port of Newcastle in August 1846. It was stated that his thorough acquaintance with the harbour and his long connection with the Hunter district were an ample guarantee that he would discharge his duties efficiently and faithfully.

In 1847 he was one of the townsfolk involved in organising a reception for the Governor Sir Charles Fitzroy on his Excellency's visit to Newcastle.

DEATH

Alexander Livingstone died in 1867....

The funeral took place on Friday afternoon, shortly after two o'clock. He expired at his residence, East Maitland, and his remains were conveyed to Newcastle by the midday train, for interment in the Presbyterian burial ground near the Cottage Creek Bridge. The cortege was met at the Honeysuckle Point station by a number of friends of the deceased, who had assembled for the purpose of attending the funeral. Throughout Thursday and Friday the whole of the vessels in port, as well as most of the principal stores in the city had their flags half mast high, as a tribute of respect to the deceased gentleman..[3]

NOTES AND LINKS

1). Select here to find the names of convicts assigned to Alexander Livingstone at Bowthorne and Newcastle

REFERENCES

[1] Mitchell, Cecily Joan (1973). Hunter's River : a history of early families and the homes they built in the Lower Hunter Valley between 1830 and 1860. Administrator of the Estate of Cecily Joan Mitchell, Newcastle West, N.S.W. p. 52

[2] Cross, Joseph. Map of the River Hunter, and its branches [cartographic material]1828